April 22, 2021

How To Embrace Rewilding

At Daub + Design, we’re fortunate to call the beautiful, nature-surrounded city of Vancouver home, on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. But we’re always thinking about easy, gradual changes we can make to better our planet — like these tips for more sustainable living. On Earth Day especially, it’s important to consider the lifestyle shifts we can make, and rewilding is an easy and beautiful place to start.

What is rewilding?

Rewilding is a recent trend dedicated to restoring outdoor spaces to their natural state, in order to let wildlife, ecosystems, and native plants thrive. It’s a mindset that requires relinquishing control over nature, and prioritizing the environment.

Food for thought: We can embrace rewilding as an ecological approach, but what if we also apply the concept to our life and mentality? If this year has taught us anything, it’s how to return to our more natural state and take care of our basic health and happiness needs. Maybe we can continue to make this a priority—even disconnecting from our phones and spending more time in nature are easy ways to rewild ourselves.

Photo by Thijs van der Weide from Pexels

How can I rewild my backyard?

There are many changes you can make to begin the process of rewilding your backyard.

Accept the weeds. Weeds can be a nuisance, but some have important jobs. For example, goldenrod helps support pollination. Research which beneficial weeds you should leave untouched.

Let the grass grow. You don’t have to let your lawn run wild, but consider leaving it a little longer or mowing less frequently to encourage insect habitats and wildflower growth. Or, turn a small part of your yard into a ‘wild area.’

Choose flowers pollinators will love. To feed the bees, plant various flowers that will bloom at different times. Here’s how to create a pollinator-friendly garden.

Create natural barriers. Construct vertical gardens to create privacy (such as hedges) instead of metal or wood fences.

Use organic materials instead of chemicals. Swap soils and fertilizer that contain chemicals for organic or green products. Better yet, set up a compost for household waste and reuse it as soil.

Add a water source. Any water source, from a bird bath to a pond, can help sustain and encourage wildlife in your garden.

Photo by: Markus Spiske

What if I live in an apartment?

You can still participate in rewilding if you have a small yard, courtyard, or balcony—every bit of green space helps!

Make use of vertical space. Plant vines that can climb trellises or tall shrubs to increase greenery.
Choose diverse flowers. If you have space for planters or baskets, choose insect-friendly flowers to attract butterflies and bees.
Plant perennials. Native perennials can often be planted in individual pots, which can fit nicely on plant stands.